Kitchen makeover franchisor Dream Doors has reported a 50% increase in quality applications to become one of its franchisees compared to 2015.

Last year Dream Doors saw an average of 72 applications each month, with an average of 30 of those progressing to a telephone interview stage. The first six months of 2016 has seen an average of 78 applications, with 45 of those progressing to a telephone interview, a 50% increase.

"The initial enquiries invariably include a number of people just sounding us out, or at the very early stages of looking at franchise opportunities," says Alex Waite (pictured),head of franchise recruitment, Dream Doors. "That's fine - franchise recruitment is a two-way process so it's important to get to a stage where both parties are comfortable moving forwards.

"But the number of applications progressing to the interview stage has impressed me this year. Not only are we conducting more interviews than ever before, but the applications are coming from a more broad and diverse range of backgrounds than we have seen previously."

Dream Doors has more than 70 franchisees across the UK, and its model of replacing kitchen doors and work surfaces has struck a chord with consumers, who do not want the expense and hassle that comes with a complete kitchen re-fit. In 2015, the average turnover of franchisees in the network was more than £500,000, with some of the highest performers turning over more than one million pounds.

After the telephone interview stage, potential franchisees come to Dream Doors HQ for a further interview with Dream Doors MD, Troy Tappenden. They will also undertake the Extended DiSC personal assessment, used by 70% of Fortune 500 to improve work productivity, teamwork, and communication, and will also take the Devine Inventory skill assessment, which helps companies find the right candidate.

"The cost of getting franchise recruitment wrong is something that any franchisor wants to avoid as much as possible, and we feel that the changes we have made to our recruitment process over the last 12 months have really helped with that," continues Alex.

"But the increase in serious applications to Dream Doors is down to our continuing appeal as a way of being your own boss but with the support of a national kitchen brand behind you. You can earn a strong income and enjoy a fantastic lifestyle at Dream Doors, and with kitchen makeovers so popular there is a readymade marketplace for our services."

Dream Doors has previously been recognised for the excellence of its recruitment. In 2015 the company was recognised nationally at the 2015 British Franchise Association HSBC Franchisor of the Year Awards, where it won the Franchisee Recruitment of the Year Award.

Dream Doors believes that the overall franchising industry is enjoying a new status and gravitas as an option for people considering a new direction in their working life that it has lacked at times in the past.

"Franchising is certainly having its moment in the sun and is increasingly becoming a realistic and viable option with those looking for a new career," continues Alex. "Franchising makes a major contribution to the overall economy and is an attractive proposition for anyone considering their next career move, irrespective of what they have done previously.

"Of far more importance to Dream Doors is attitude and the ability to work with people, rather than prior experience, so we are relishing the upturn in candidate quality and volume."

Dream Doors first opened in Hampshire in 1999 and has become an established and trusted national brand giving a new lease of life to old kitchens. The company has a local presence in high streets up and down the UK, and each showroom offers the same kitchen facelift service and vast range of made to measure replacement kitchen doors, worktops and accessories.